“The Age of Akra” Review

Hello Friends!

Today is a special day, I was planning on posting this review, but today is even better and I didn’t want to mess up with the Friday 13th.

Today’s review is of book one in a series, and right after this post gets published I’m posting the review of the second book that is part of a blog tour. I can’t wait to share my reviews of these books, so enjoy.

“The Age of Akra“, written by Vacen Taylor, is the first book in the Starchild Series, a fantasy novel published on March 8th 2013.

I want to thank Rachel, at Rachel’s Random Resources, and Vacen Taylor for the eCopy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Synopsis

The foreshadowing of a dark future threatens the seven nations of Sahas. Mai is selected to train with the mysterious elemental master Sah Dohba, who will prepare her to become the protector of the desert lands. Her brother Long steps forward to travel with her as her chaperone to the Valley of a Thousand Thoughts.

A mysterious encounter brings them together with Akra, the Starchild. The trio travels on into a battle with the elements. Sandstorms. Deadly creatures. Starvation. Then a chance meeting with powerful earthfollower sets them on a new path where they must each find the strength to face a terrifying foe from the Underworld.

Purchase Link: Amazon

About the Author

Vacen Taylor is a children’s author with a portfolio of screenwriting and stage play achievements. A selection of her poetry has been published in Art and Literature Journals. One of her plays was selected to be part of the Playwrights Program 2017 and then directed and performed as a performance reading at HOTA (previously the Gold Coast Arts Centre).

Her feature film script received a special commendation for Best Unproduced Screenplay titled Grandfathers at the British Independent Film Festival in 2018. The logline can be found under Special Commendations for Unproduced Screenplays here.

Her TV pilot for a series (teleplay) was selected as a semi-finalist in the Hollywood Just4Shorts Film and Screenplay Competition in Los Angeles, CA. This pilot was listed in the top 50 for the Cinequest Screenwriting Competition in 2018.

She presented the first mental health panel at OZ Comic-Con in 2017. This panel was a fantastic opportunity to discuss openly and honestly about artists and their mental health to help support wellbeing, foster connectivity and provide a culture of support.

In 2018 she presented the panel, ‘An artist’s guide to creative happiness: How to strengthen your creative performance’ at Oz Comic-Con in Brisbane. Her panels are extraordinary opportunities to explore ideas with people who are currently working in the industry. She aims to discuss subjects like individualism, the community, mental health, wellbeing, happiness, creativity, co-creating and self-awareness which often leads to interesting questions from the audience.

What else does she do? Vacen is also a creative workshop facilitator and proficient in, teaching, speaking and concept creation. Guest Speaker. Workshop Presenter. Creative Panel Facilitator. Mentor. Support Worker. Counsellor. Social Welfare Advocate.

My Review

This is the start of a series that just by the titles, covers and synopsis I knew it would be good series, and by the beginning of the story, with this novel, I knew I had a good series in my hands.

This is a middle grade fantasy novel, but even if it’s targeting kids and teens, I can see anyone of any age reading this book and the entire series. That’s because it’s a fun and you are taken on an adventure like with much fantasy books that I like. It did transported me to a new world that I know nothing about.

We follow Mai, the main character, her brother Long and a pet lizard Barka. And let’s stop right there. I have a pet cat, Nala is her name, and she’s very jealous, but if my mom wasn’t scared of lizards and the possibility of Nala murdering the lizard didn’t exist, I would adopt a lizard as my second child (the first child is Nala). That been said, I love reptiles as much as I love felines. And reading a book that has a pet lizard just made everything so much better.

Still, the lizard wasn’t the only things I loved, of course. I liked to see the kids (because to me, that’s what the characters are) go on this journey, it was exciting and I felt as I was part of the group and I was there with them. It called to my childhood happiness and need for adventures. I love when a book does that, which was why I immediately after finishing this book, I read the next one.

Overall, I think this book was a good start and it opened up the story, introducing the characters, the world and the society. I won’t give any spoilers and extra information because I think you guys will like to read this book and be taken to an amazing story were you will dive in and come up with your own thoughts.

I can’t wait to read more of this series and get to figure out where the characters are going to go next, what dangers will they face, who will they meet. I know a lot more is going to happen and that unknown is only curious and exciting because of the realistic and interesting fantasy world and it’s people that with author created.

So, I truly did enjoy the story so far and it was the kind of book that I would have read when I was younger and that I still see myself reading it the distant future. So if you like this genre and like to read series, check out this one.

Don’t forget to comment, don’t be stranger. If you have any book recommendation you can leave a message using the form on my Contact Me page.

If you are an author or publisher and want me to do a review of a book please check out my Request Review page to learn more about the reviewing policies.

I always welcome new books to add to my list and I’m always excited to do reviews and read books. And I’m open to debate and exchange opinions, so let’s talk.

Also, if you would like to join me as a guest on my blog, check out the Guests Post page to know more and contact me so we can start planing your visit.

Love,

Jess